Morihei’s vision: “A physical confrontation with a would-be attacker is reframed as a harmonious interaction”

The key concept here is that what would normally be construed as a physical confrontation with a would-be attacker is reframed as a harmonious interaction. Uke’s fighting impulse has been overcome and enveloped with love. In other words, the goal is to live one’s whole life on a different plane of consciousness in harmony with one’s surroundings and the people one meets. Seen in these terms, aikido becomes a metaphor for living in peace while possessing the skills necessary to neutralize and win over a violent opponent…